A controversial application for a housing development, which would see up to 226 homes built on farmland in Stokesley, has been submitted.

Planning and development consultants Johnson Brook propose to build a residential development on land off Tanton Road.

But some locals have raised concerns about the plans - saying the development would cause an increase of traffic on what already is a partly “hazardous” road.

Worries about the loss of green space and potential for flooding have also been put forward.

According to the design and access statement, part of Johnson Brook’s application to Hambleton Council, the proposed development would comprise a mix of detached, semi-detached and terraced houses of two to three storeys in height.

Primary access would be from Tanton Road. However there would also be secondary access from The Acres.

“Although the development will see a loss in arable land, and will change the characteristics of this area, it will be sympathetic to the surrounding land and will not sighnificantly impact the character of the wider area,” the company says.

But many locals remain concerned - with one whose home would back onto the development stating: “I love Stokesley, and I love my home but I must stress that this proposed housing development is forcing me to start looking elsewhere.”

Another added: “Tanton road is already a very, very busy route into Stokesley where the speed and volume of traffic is already a concern. A development of this size will impact on this, causing congestion and increase in risk.

“The town is already large and the local school and GP is full and over subscribed. The site has been flooded in the past which had a massive impact on my property and the surrounding property.”

But these latest proposals are not the only ones proving controversial in the market town.

One resident said: “I am a life-long resident of Stokesley and have seen it quadruple in size over the past 25 years and now the village I grew up in has become unrecognisable”.

A spokesman for Johnson Brook said: “Johnson Brook planning and development consultants have met and consulted with local residents, councillors and Hambleton District Council throughout the plan preparation process and have amended the submission drawings accordingly to reflect local concerns”.